East Central University will pay former soccer player $15K to settle claim, The Oklahoman learns

ADA — East Central University will pay $15,000 to a former women’s soccer player who was kicked off the team, but the university denies any wrongdoing regarding her claim of retaliation, according to a settlement agreement.

The Oklahoman obtained a copy of the confidential agreement Wednesday through an open records request.

Traebiyana Dimanche sought damages from ECU women’s soccer coach Riley Bailey and the Board of Regents for the Regional University System of Oklahoma, the governing board of ECU.

In a lawsuit filed July 1 in Oklahoma County District Court, Dimanche said she suffered retaliation for complaining about racial discrimination. Her attorney, Mark Hammons, said the settlement agreement was reached the following week.

The agreement states that ECU and its governing board “deny any liability or wrongdoing in connection with Dimanche’s claims, and this settlement is simply an economic resolution ....”

Dimanche came to ECU in the fall of 2012. During the soccer season, she complained to her coach about a text message, jokes and the way she was treated by team members. Dimanche was the only black player on the team.

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by Kathryn McNutt

Higher Education Reporter

Kathryn McNutt covers higher education for The Oklahoman and NewsOK. Since joining the staff in August 2000, she also has worked as the Breaking News editor, Metro editor and assistant Local editor. A native of Oklahoma City, she graduated from...